Spring structure



April 28, i936. w. A. CLARK SPRVING 4STRUCTURE Filed Sept. lO, 1934 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING STRUCTURE Mich.

Application September 10, 1934, Serial No. 743,329

4 Claims.

The main object of this invention is to pro:- vide an improved spring structure in which the springs in an open bottom cushion are effectively supported against sagging even when the cush- 5 ion is arranged on an open or skeleton base.

A further object is to provide in a spring structure an improved spring connecting and supporting piece which is very rigid even when formed of comparatively light material.

l Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment l of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top view of a cushion embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View partially in vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a row of springs with their supporting and connecting pieces.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. l

Fig. 5 is a detail section corresponding to that of Fig. 4 showing the relation of the spring to the cross piece before the cross piece is clamped thereon.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are cross sectional views of O0 modified forms of cross pieces.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, the border frame I is of the tacking strip type, the strip shown being that of the Falls Patent No. 1,899,188, dated February 28, 1933, the skirt 2 of the upholstery 3 being drawn over the edge of the rim or border frame and secured by tacks. The body springs 4l are of the helically coiled hour-glass type. The bottom coils Cil of the border springs are secured to the rim by clamping the rim flange 5 thereon. The springs are arranged in rows and the rows of springs are connected and supported by cross pieces 8 formed of metal strips.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inelusive, the upper portion of the strip is folded upon itself at 'I and terminates in a spring clamping flange 8. The lower portion of the strip is reversely folded upon itself at 9 and terminates in a spring clamping flange I parallel JO with the flange 8 and coacting therewith to form a channel receiving the bottom coils of a row of springs, the flange being clamped` within the coils at I I, thereby effectively securing the supporting strips to the coils. These cross pieces or cross strips terminate adjacent the sides of the border frame and are preferably only connected thereto through the end springs of the border springs of the rows as is shown in Fig. 1, which permits some freedom of movement of the cross pieces independent o-f the border frame 5 so that when the cushion is arranged upon an open base such as is very common in automobiles, the ends of the cross strips will overlie and rest upon the front and rear pieces of the base. By thus forming the cross pieces, they are very 10 rigid as the web portion of the channel is at least of double ply, a portion of it being triple ply in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the upper portion of the strip is folded as in Figs. 4 15 and 5, but thek lower portion is folded to provide a double ply botto-m flange I2, the extreme edge portion of the strip being folded against the web portion of the strip. It will be noted that in this instance the web is double ply.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the upper edge of the strip is turned to pro-vide a flange I8 while the fold I4 is approximately the full width of the strip, the fold I5 being of such width as to properly space the bottom flange I 9 relative 25 to the fiange I8.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the top flange I 3 is folded the same as that of Fig. 7 and while the bottom flange 20 is positioned the same as the flange I9 of Fig. 7, it is of double'30 ply.

It will be noted that in all of these embodiments, the strip is folded so that at least a double thickness or double ply of material is provided in the vertical web portion of the cross piece. This re- 35 sults in a strip formed of comparatively light and easily bendable material, both in the initial forming and clamp-ing upon the springs which is strong and resists springing in all directions and is capable of sustaining quite heavy loads even when formed of relatively light material.

1 have illustrated and described my improvements in very practical embodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications and adaptations of my improvements which I contemplate as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a spring structure, the combination of a border frame and a plurality of rows of springs, the border springs being secured to said frame,

and cross pieces connecting the rows of springs each comprising a strip of metal having its upper edge folded upon itself and terminating in an upper spring clamping flange disposed centrally of the cross piece and its bottom edge reversely folded upon itself andterminating in a lower spring clamping flange disposed approximately in the plane of the lower edge of the cross piece, said clamping flanges receiving the bottom coils of a row of springs between them andbeing clamped thereon. Y

2. In a spring structure, the combination of a border frame and a plurality of rows of springs, the border'springs being secured to said frame, and cross pieces connecting theV rows of springs each comprising a strip of metal folded longitu'dinally toprovide anrupperV spring clamping flange, its bottom edge reversely folded upon itself and terminating in a lower spring clamping flange, said clamping flanges receiving the bottom coils of a ro-w of springs betweenthem'and being clamped thereon.

3. In a spring structure, the combination of a border frame, and a. plurality 'of springs arranged inV rows, the outer springs being secured to said frame, the rows of springs being connected by cross bars formed of strips of metal folded longitudinally to provide a double ply upright portion with its edges disposed to provide a channel portion receiving the bottom coils of a row of springs, the edges of the channel flanges being clamped withinthe coils, said channel portion including a .multi-ply wall in vertical alinernent with said double ply upright portion.

4. In a spring structure, the combination of a plurality of springs, and `a connectingrcross piece therefor comprising a strip of metal folded inwarolly at itsV upper edgeupon itself and terminating in a spring clamping ange disposed centrally of the cross piece, the other edge being reversely folded upon itself and terminating in a spring clamping flange disposed in the plane of the lower edge of the strip and in opposed relation to the other clamping flange, said clamping flanges receiving coils of the springs and being clamped thereon. Y

WILLIAM A. CLARK. 

